The Library

Doggie's Valentine

Published February 14, 2017

Originally, American newspapers were used mainly by political parties. As time passed, the papers had a wider relevance in people's daily lives, and articles, columns and whole pages were aimed toward women, sports fans, cooks, and children. Poetry can be found in the earliest newspapers published in the United States. Here is an example of a whimsical valentine poem from the children’s page of the Springfield Leader, February 8, 1925.

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Doggie’s Valentine

	"Oh, be my Valentine, my dear!" Cried Puppy with a sigh, "If you are so disdainful, Puss, you"ll make me pine and die!"
	"Who wants a Puppy sweetheart?" proud Mistress Pussy said, While with nose a-tilt and haughty Mien, she shook her pretty head.
	He brought her a big paper heart, with an arrow in it too, He brought a lovely bunch of flowers tied with a ribbon blue.
	But Puss was proud, she spurned his gifts and wouldn't hear his pleading, Though Puppy swore that Cupid's dart had set his heart to bleeding!
	Poor Puppy moped till Mother Wuff whispered some wise advice, "Some folk like paper hearts and flowers and others favor –MICE!"
	Away went Puppy in post haste to purchase a fat mouse. He put it in a basket and went to Pussy's house.
	When Pussy saw it how she purred! "Your Valentine I'll be, "You are a good provider and lovely Pup," quoth she.
	So, if a valentine you’d gain, remember tastes may differ, And if she’s fond of mice and rats, why, that is what to give her.

Find this article at http://thelibrary.org/blogs/article.cfm?aid=4728&view=print